Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:36 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Operate pumps

Operate pumps

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR309B
State Code
D2982
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
13/03/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit covers the competency required to operate a portable and/or appliance-mounted pump at an incident. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare pump to deliver water
  • 1.1 Type ofpump selected is appropriate to the operation/incident.
  • 1.2 Suitabilityofwater supply for operational purposes is determined.
  • 1.3 Pump is sited and positioned to receive and deliver water supply in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • 1.4 Pump and primer are engaged in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and organisational procedures.
  • 1.5 Appropriate foam agents and foam equipment are prepared for the production of foam at an incident, where required.
2. Operate pump
  • 2.1 Pump components, ancillary equipment and principles of operation are utilised to draught water from a staticsupply to boost water from a reticulatedsupply and/or to deliver water from the appliance tank in accordance with appliance capability.
  • 2.2 Pump operation is in accordance with manufacturer specifications, organisational procedures and workplace health and safety (WHS) guidelines
  • 2.3 Principles of hydraulics are considered when determining pump settings.
  • 2.4 Pumps are operated and observed to ensure that pressure and flow meet operational requirements and that safety to personnel is maintained.
  • 2.5 Pump performance is monitored and maintained to ensure maximum efficiency of operation, to detect and correct pumping and safety problems, and to take appropriate action in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • 2.6 Pump operations are carried out avoiding injury to personnel and damage to equipment and facilities.
  • 2.7 Mechanical malfunctions are reported to supervisor according to organisational procedures.
3. Conclude pump operations
  • 3.1 Pump operations are concluded in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • 3.2 Ancillary equipment is collected and stowed in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • 3.3 Maintenance procedures and checks are undertaken to ensure pump and ancillary equipment are serviceable in accordance with organisational requirements.
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Type of pump may include:
appliance-mounted pumps
centrifugal
ejector
free-standing, trailer or vehicle-mounted
multi-stage centrifugal
peripheral
petrol or diesel driven
portable pumps
positive displacement
series/parallel centrifugal
single-stage centrifugal
water turbine
Suitability of water supply may include:
capacity
pressure
salinity
turbidity
Primer may include:
diaphragm
exhaust ejector
force pump
rotary gear
rotary vane
water ring
Organisational procedures may include:
fireground procedures
maintenance procedures and checks
manufacturer specifications
WHS guidelines
pumping practices
service procedures
standard operating procedures
training manuals
Foam agents may include:
alcohol resistant type foam
aqueous film forming foam
Class A foam
protein foam
Foam equipment may include:
Class A foam systems
Class B foam systems
compressed air foam system
electronic foam systems
foam-making branch pipes
high back-pressure (sub-surface injection) foam system
high expansion foam equipment
in-line inductors
in-line foam generators
medium expansion foam equipment
pick-up tubes
pressure-balanced foam systems
round-the-pump proportioners
Ancillary equipment may include:
adaptors and matching pieces
breechings
couplings
delivery hose
hose clamps
hydrant tools and openers
ropes/lines
standpipes
suction hoses, spanners, strainers, baskets
Static supply may include:
dams
lakes
portable dams
reservoirs
rivers
seawater
swimming pools
tanks
Reticulated supply may include:
distributary mains
reticulation mains
trunk mains
Principles of hydraulics may include:
discharge and flow rates
friction loss
head pressure calculations
jet reaction
required branch and nozzle pressures
Observed may include
branch operator activities, where possible
checking water supply levels
monitoring of gauges and warning lights
pump operators working on other units when relay pumping
use of pressure relief valves and transfer valves
use of pump performance charts or tables illustrating information such as optimum nozzle pressure and friction loss
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
maintain water supply to branch operators
maintain appropriate levels of pressure
respond appropriately to changing circumstances
when using foam, supply/deliver the correct proportion of foam and water and maintain supply of foam concentrate
when pumping from an appliance tank, monitor levels of water remaining in appliance tank to ensure minimum levels for crew protection
pump without injury to personnel or damage to equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job and/or in a range of simulated environments.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
range of pumps
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C8936 PUAFIR309A Operate pumps Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY81 PUAFIR309 Operate pumps Unit of competency